For Baharak
I cannot see you, because the wall
of darkness is thicker than any made
of wood or metal. I cannot hear you,
because distance swallows sounds,
then carpets space in a deep silence
which nothing mortal can penetrate.
But these are not barriers for us: clouds
cannot stop the free flight of birds, and
mountains do not block dawn from casting
her transparent light into every dark place.
And so it is that you and I are both awake
in our distant homes and keep vigils
while all the others sleep and dream their
dreams. Once you watched over your family’s
restful sleep and their peace and safety filled
you with a quiet nocturnal joy. Now it is as if
you keep the same wide-eyed vigil but it embraces
the whole world with its sympathy, a world plunged
into suffering and hate, on the edge of hopelessness,
whose people rejoice in the grace of your peaceful gaze.
Leave a Reply